IMAGES AND SYMBOLS

 Monastries and many buildings in Sikkim are richly decorated with symbols and icons. These symbols are painted or embossed on the walls or on Tankas. These paintings may depict the life of Buddha or some Tibetan saint, the Wheel of of Life or a diety surrounded by lesser deities. Wheel of Life The Wheel of life is one of the purest Buddhist emblems. This emblem can be seen in the entrance of almost all the monastries. This emblem is also widely depicted on thankas or religious scrools. The circular form of this wheel symbolizes the ceaseless worldly existence. This wheel is held in the clutches of a monster with its claws and teeth and signifies the pastionate clinging of the people to existr in this world. The hub of the wheel contains a cock, a snake and a pig. The cock signofies lust or desire, The snake signifies anger anf the pig symbolises ignorances and stupidity. These are shown in the center of the wheel as it is said that they are the root cause of the trouble on earth. In the intermediate circle of the wheel of life, the five worlds are drawn as advised by lord Buddha. The ring between the intermediate world and the inner most circle of ignorance, lust and envy is drawn in half white and half black. White area symbolises good deeds and Black symbolises bad or evil deeds. People going upwards in White portion represent people who have performed good deeds in theirt lifetime and are now going to take rebirth in the world of gods. People going in the Black portion indicate hell or the world of animals. In the intermediate circle there are five parts that of which the two upper parts symbolise heavenly and human worlds. The remaining three worlds in the lower path symbolise sinful deeds leading to a world of animals, ghosts and hell. Outermost circle shows twelve phaces of life.

Eight lucky signs and their significance:

     

  1. THE DUG (PARASOL): the Parasol of authority symbolises the authority of Buddha. The Parasol protects the head from the scorching heat of Sun just as the law protects the mind from the scorching passion.
  2. THE BHUMPA (VASE): The Vase represents a repository of limitless material wealth, good health and long life.
  3. THE CONCH SHELL (DHUNGKAR): It symbolises reverberating sound of Dharma and signifies the awakening of sentient beings from the sleeping state of theiir ignorance. It persuades themtowards the path of noble deeds that are beneficial to others. Gautam blew the conch shell when he decided to preach the law. the Conch shell is blown in commemoration of this event whenever there is a special sermon by a high lama.
  4. THE BANNER OF VICTORY (GYALTSEN): This symbol signifies the fortune of having victory of good over the evil forces which hinders the success of noble goals and also proclaims the victory of peity over evil. It is used in processions.
  5. A PAIR OF GOLDEN FISHES (SERNYA): Symbolises resurrection of eternal life, rebirth etc. The pair signifies the ability to swim with ease without obstruction in the ocean of this world. They may also be taken to symbolise the eye of perception as fish can see through muddy water. The fish couple suggests mutual aid andf indispensability between male and female material life.
  6. THE LOTUS FLOWER (PEMA): It symbolises the ultimate goal namely enlightenment. As the Lotus comes out of dirt but does not carry any dirt similarly law is free of all earthly matters.
  7. KNOT OF ETERNITY (PALBHEU): It is law without beginning and without end which symbolises Eternity. The curly hair on the chest of Buddha has the appearence of Knot Eternity. It is also called as lucky net and symbolises Brahamajala representing all the theories and philosophies of the universe.
  8. THE WHEEL OF DHARMA (CHOEKYI KHORLO): It symbolises the propagation of Buddha's teaching. The first sermon setting in motion of the cycle of law is symbolist in a wheel with eight spokes, which stand for eight fold path.

MONASTERIES

Sikkim's near about 200 monasteries or Gompas belonging to the Nyingma and Kagyu order have not only been influencing the cultural heritage and lifestyle of the people, but also demonstrates the ancient rituals in practice.

Devoted Lamas robed in red, chant ancient mantras to the rhythm of drums and trumpets while soft lights flicker from decorative lamps placed before statues of the great Guru Padmasambhava. Feel the peace and quiet of being one with nature and close to the almighty as sacred words mingle with the whirring prayer wheels.

The Gompas are adorned with life-like frescoes of hoary Buddhist legends, rare silk and brocade Thangkas. Also preserved here, are ancient Tibetan manuscripts, exquisitely carved wood work and icons of silver and gold.

PEMAYANGTSE MONASTERY

Pemayangtse Monastery is situated in West Sikkim at Gyalshing (140 kms. from Gangtok) and commands an impressive view of Mount khanchendzonga. This monastery belongs to the Nyingma order and all other Nyingma monasteries in Sikkim are subordinate to it.

 

RUMTEK MONASTERY

24 Kms. from Gangtok, a drive through beautiful countryside takes one to Rumtek Dharma Chakra centre built in 1960'S by his holiness the late 16th GYALWA KARMAPA when he took refuge in Sikkim after the Chinese attack. It houses some of the worlds most unique art objects, ancient manuscripts and icons.

 

ENCHEY MONASTERY

This monastery is situated in Gangtok on a hill top. It was built during the reign of Thutob Namgyal .

 

PHENSANG MONASTERY

This monastery was built in 1721 during the time of Jigme Pawo. In 1947 it was completely gutted by a devastating fire. However it was rebuilt in 1948. It is present in North Sikkim.

 

PHODANG MONASTERY

This monastery is in North Sikkim 28 kms. from Gangtok. The original monastery is rebuilt and is today one of the most beautiful monasteries in Sikkim.

 

TASHIDING MONASTERY

This is another important monastery belonging to the Nyingmapa order and is about 40 Kms. from Gyalshing by road via Legship (West Sikkim). It lies nestled on the top of a hill that looms up between the Rathong river and the Rangit river and is surrounded by a profusion of Prayer flags that flutter in the air.

 

SANGA CHELLING MONASTERY

Sanga chelling means ' the island of esoteric teaching'. This monastery was built in 1697 and is situated about 7 kms. from Pemayangste. It is said to be the oldest monastery in Sikkim.

 

DUBDI MONASTERY

Dubdi means 'the retreat' and this monastery was built in 1700. It is located near Yuksum on a hill top. One has to travel by foot to reach it.

 

KHECHOPARI MONASTEREY

This monastery is located just above the famous near Yukusm.

 

MELLI MONASTERY

Melli basically means 'a lepcha village'. This monastery is also located near Yuksum.

 

SINON MONASTERY

Sinon means 'the suppressor of intense fear'. The monastery was built in 1716 and is located about 10 kms. from Tashiding on a hill top.

 

DALLING MONASTERY

Dalling means 'the thunderbolt'. This monastery was built in 1840 and is situated near kwezing in .

 

YANGYANG MONASTERY

Yangyang means 'the ridge of fortune'. This monastery was built in 1840 and is situated at a place called Yangyang 10 kms. downhill from Rabongla.

 

NAMCHI MONASTERY

This monastery is located in Namchi, the district headquarters of south district and was constructed during the reign of Chogyal Gurmed Namgyal.

 

KWEZING MONASTERY

This monastery is located near Kwezing in South Sikkim. It was built during the reign of Chogyal Thutob Namgyal.

 

SIMIK MONASTERY

This monastery is situated in near Singtam town. It was built during the reign of Chogyal Tsudphud Namgyal.

 

HEE GYATHANG MONASTERY

This monastery is located in and follows the Nyingma sect of Buddhism.

 

LINGTEM MONASTERY

This monastery is located in the Zongu area of North Sikkim.

 

CHAWANG ANI MONASTERY

This monastery is located near Phensang which is on the highway between Gangtok amd Mangan. It was built during the reign of Chogyal Tshudphud Namgyal .

 

RHENOCK MONASTERY

This monastery is located in bout 63 kms. from Gangtok.

 

KHATOK MONASTERY

This monastery is located in East Sikkim near Pakyong. The present structure of the monastery was built during the reign of Chogyal Thutob Namgyal.

 

BERMOIK MONASTERY

This monastery was constructed in 1952 and follows the Nyingma sect of Buddhism. It is situated in South Sikkim above Singtam.

 

LACHEN MONASTERY

This monastery in North Sikkim was built in 1806 and follows the Nyingma sec of Buddhism.

 

LACHUNG MONASTERY

This monastery in North Sikkim was built in Sikkim 1880 and also follows the Nyingma sect of Buddhism.

 

SANG MONASTERY

This monastery is situated near Rumtek and was built in 1912.

 

RALONG MONASTERY

This monastery is situated near Rabongla in South Sikkim.

 

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